Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland sets new franchise record against Rams
Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland set a new franchise record on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. By snagging an interception off of Matthew Stafford and running it back to the endzone for a score, Bland notched his third pick-six of the season.
No other Cowboys defender, even the cornerback Bland is filling in for – Trevon Diggs – has ever grabbed three pick-sixes in a single season. He’s now also the Cowboys’ leading touchdown scorer (behind QB Dak Prescott).
The last player in the NFL to score three pick-sixes in a single season was Marcus Peters in 2019. Only three players have ever had four pick-sixes in a season – Eric Allen in 1993, Jim Kearney in 1972 and Ken Houston in 1971.
The Cowboys drafted DaRon Bland with the No. 24 pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After the injury to Anthony Brown last year, Bland proved to be a critical piece for Dallas. He notched a team-leading five interceptions last season. His one-season and seven-game total is now nine interceptions. Diggs, an All-Pro, had 14 in his first two seasons, including a league-leading 11 in his second season with Dallas.
Bland is in his second year of a four-year, $3.9 million rookie deal. When extension time comes up for the 2022 draft class, he’ll likely be at the top of the list.
Brandon Aubrey one FG shy of NFL record for Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys appear to have found an absolute hidden gem with rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey. The former MLS draft pick knocked through his 17th consecutive field goals on Sunday against the Rams. His total is just one make behind former Cleveland Browns kicker Travis Coons’ league record, set in 2015.
Across the board, he’s been perfect, save for one missed extra-point attempt. The kick on Sunday was also his new career-long, a make from 58 yards out.
The Cowboys signed Aubrey after he wrapped up a season with the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions. To make things sweeter, he grew up in DFW, playing soccer for Plano High School. He initially had an MLS career and a collegiate career playing soccer for Notre Dame.
In 2017, Aubrey was a first-round draft pick for Toronto F.C. of the MLS. They released him after one season, and he then signed with the United Soccer League team Bethlehem Steel.